Sharp County record., 1887-02-03
"A GRAVE ERROR"

OTTAWA, Ont, Jan. 26.-An American
newspaper cores pondent called upon the
Canadian Premier yesterday, and this is
what Sir John Macdonald said: ~ feel
that the people of the United States do
not fully comprehend our position here in
Canada
Sir John was found in the handsome Ii.
brary of the residence on the outskirts OF
the newly-fedged City of Ottawa. He
continued very much as follows: "The
news that the United States Senate
passed the Edmunds bill providing for
the so-called retaliation against Canada
because the fisheries treaty has been rig
idly enforced, is not surprise to me-
| have had reason to think the pres
ent Congress would pass some
thing of the kind. Ihave had information
to that effect regret very much that
Congress has gone so far. Sfeel confident
that there is some misapprehension in the
United States. Here in Canada we wish
TO live in peace and harmony with our
neighbors across the border. We have our
fishing treaty, which was framed by the
representatives Of Great Britain and the
United States in 1918. We consider that
we have only acted as that treaty con-
cedes we may. The people of the
United States ought to be willing
to allow us the treaty rights
which their own representatives
granted. The Dominion Government has
stood on the provisions Of the treaty, and
it has endeavored to carry them out in
harmony with justice and fairness. Can
ada had given the American fishermen
whole seasons fishing during the summer
and autumn of 1885. The failure of the
American Senate to appoint commission
to consider the fisheries threw the matter
back on our hands. and we were compelled
to protect our rights by the enforce
ment of the laws which every ma
ton exercises, and the right to which
all nations concede. The customs authorl'
ties were instructed to enforce the laws
but to exercise care not to employ arbl-
trary measures, and to avoid in all re-
spects procedures which would affect the
strength of our legal position, as well as
unduly annoy the citizens OF nelghbor-
ing and friendly nation. will say un-
hesitatingly that it has been the en-
deavor of the Government of Canada TO
avoid serious friction in protecting our
rights. and that the whole matter has
been one of grave solicitude."
"Sr John, the people Of the United
States believe that your government has
enforced the customs and fishery laws as
strictly as possible with the purpose OF
endeavoring to force the United States in
to consenting to another commission and
consequent treaty like that Of Washing
ton2"
EThis is a grave error The Canadian
Government has not attempted to coerce
the United States. On the contrary, does
it not rather appear as if there were sOr'
of a wolf and the lamb spirit shown, with
Canada as the lamb? I will be pleased il
YOU will say that there is no such sprl'
on the part of the Canadian Government
We would be very glad to have another
understanding in regard to the fish
cries. We are willing to have a re
ciprocity treaty re-enacted in place OF the
former one, which was Cancelled, lear
because of the feeling against Great
Britain arising out Of the Alabama depre-
dations. Canada will enter into an ar
rangement for a renewal OF the privilege
of fishing in our waters and for American
fishermen to obtain supplies, bait and
tranship fish. We have asked for com
mission to consider the subject. Failing
in obtaining a commission even to CON
slider the questions involved, Canada has,
to the best of her ability, protected her.
self"
"What would be the effect on Canada il
the Belmont bill prohibiting the import OF
all Canadian products and the passage Of
railway cars into the United States was
passedW
Sir John placed his fingers together
pointing upward and, after moments
pause. said softly: "That would indeed
be severe, very severe. I can not think
that Congress will proceed to such a
length"
"Will you state what course Canada
will adopt if the Belmont or the Ed
munds bill are put in operations"
Sir John considered the question men
tally and responded: "The Canadian Gov
ernment has acted according to law. 1t
has referred its acts and the reasons
therefor to the Imperial Government Of
Great Britain. 1t sees no reasons to
change its views, no matter what may
take place in other countries"
"Then you are willing to say that Cana
da will not recede from its present posi-
tion?'
Sir John responded: eyes, you are at
liberty to say that Canada's position Is
fixed. regardless Of what may be done in
the United States"
Sir John was fortified by the counsels
of Sir Charles Tupper, the Canadian High
Commissioner to England, who arrived
at Ottawa from Liverpool yesterday morn
ing.
"What will be the effect on the politics
of Canada by the passage OF the Belmont
or Edmunds billr'
Sir Charles replied: 'There will be an
outbreak of patriotism. You will find
that notwithstanding the violence of party
feeling, the opposition to the present Gov
ernment will not admit of disposition to
Weld to the demands of the United
States. No government could live in
Canada that attempted to subordinate ma
tional rights to party politics. scarcely
know of newspaper in the Dominion that
wishes our treaty rights thrown away
The opposition may differ on some points
the government insists on, but the cardi-
nal principles are acknowledged by both
parties alike"
Sir John ended the interview by ex-
pressing his personal admiration for GER
tain well-known American statesmen.